An Apartment in Montmartre

Photos

Your Apartment in Montmartre consists of a main living space (the salon) complete with a sofa-bed that sleeps 2 comfortably, open-plan kitchen (what the French call an “American kitchen” or “cuisine U.S.“) and armoire for storage; a bedroom with additional storage; a shower room; and a separate toilet/WC (very typical in France).

Let us take you on a brief tour!

THE APARTMENT

When you enter the apartment, you enter a sunny and airy space in the main living area + kitchen, thanks to the open floor plan and three windows which face Rue Durantin.

The décor of the apartment reflects a typical contemporary Parisian style with some touches that are pure Montmartre. The buildings in Paris may be very old, but Parisians like the new, vibrant and modern! The salon provides a comfortable area to relax after a long day of sightseeing; you can dine at your leisure at the sofa table or the kitchen bar. While the bedroom (to the left of the salon) sleeps two adults, the sofa opens into a queen-sized bed (140×190 cm) that can accommodate up to 2 adults or 2 children. (We do not offer/permit cribs, sleeping bags or air mattresses, nor can we accommodate more than 4 people total under any circumstances.)

Enjoy a complimentary bottle of wine upon your arrival, or put your feet up while checking out our selection of books.

The apartment comes equipped with flat screen TV, DVD Blueray player, free local and international calling to 150 countries, Internet/WiFi access, and an iPod/iPhone/MP3 stereo/clock radio.

The open-plan kitchen has a breakfast bar and two stools for dining.

The entrance to the apartment is on the right (with a secure steel door with 5-point deadbolt locks); a coat rack is conveniently located when you enter. Lovely wood floors are found in the salon and bedroom, and tile floors in the kitchen and bathroom make clean-up a breeze.

Parisian housewives and professional chefs alike turn out spectacular meals in kitchens even smaller than ours, so we think you’ll be quite at home if you’re eating in! The kitchen is fully equipped with half-refrigerator, a washing machine (with a drying rack), two-burner stove, and a combination microwave/grill oven (not pictured here). We also provide a coffee pot and an electric kettle for boiling water for tea! All the tableware and cookware you’ll need for your stay are provided, and we  also provide basic cooking staples such as sugar, salt, pepper and olive oil. Don’t worry — our in-house directory will tell you where to shop for provisions!

The toilet (toilette or WC here in France) is located off the salon in its own separate cabine, something that is common in most French homes and apartments.

The bedroom (chambre in French) has wood floors and a queen-sized (140x190cm) bed, with shelves and a small armoire for storage. The window overlooks private courtyards with balconies, green space and stone walls — c’est très Montmartrois, this view! This room gets wonderful afternoon sun. Interior light-blocking curtains plus an exterior window shade ensure full privacy.

We provide fresh bed linens and bath towels for your stay.

The view from the bedroom window overlooks a quiet courtyard with a partial view of some green space, here shown with a flowering tree in spring:

Located through the bedroom is the compact but completely updated and efficient shower room. Storage is provided in the shower room for your toiletries; a heater will keep you warm! We provide a hairdryer for our guests; however, you will need to supply your own shampoo and bath soap or gel according to your needs. (Please note that, as the shower room is a bit narrow, larger guests or those with mobility issues may want to take this into account before booking.)

The classic Montmartrois staircase – we’re just one flight up from street level (no elevator).

THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Rue Durantin is a fabulous location for a stay in Paris, whether you plan to visit for a few days, a few weeks or even a few months. The quartier still retains much of its original character, that of a simpler time in Paris when artists, musicians and writers frequented the cafés and bistros of old Montmartre.

The apartment is located just off the intersection of Rue Durantin and Rue Tholozé, with Rue des Abbesses and Rue Lepic just one short block away (Vincent van Gogh and his brother lived right around the corner on Rue Lepic!) The Place des Abbesses, with the metro station Abbesses, is a 5-minute walk; Sacre Coeur and Pigalle are about 7-10 minutes away. The metro and local buses can whisk you to the center of Paris in about 15-20 minutes! We provide a directory of the local shops, our favorite nearby restaurants (as well as a few personal favorites elsewhere in Paris — after all, we live here, too!), and maps and directions for using the local metro and city buses.

Have a “walk” around your new neighborhood in Montmartre:

An adorable wine bar near the apartment at the corner of Rue Durantin and Rue Tholozé.

This restaurant at the same intersection has a charming stone wall inside and serves brunch on the weekends! Just one block away down Rue Durantin is another lovely restaurant, and Rue des Abbesses is chock full of wonderful places to eat (and more than a few bars), including two of our all-time favorites, La Mascotte (we had dinner there on our first date) and À La Pomponnette (open and in the same family since 1909)!

Just up the street on Rue Tholozé you’ll find the two remaining moulins (windmills) in Paris. Other nearby attractions include Sacre Coeur, the Musée de Montmartre (it’s small but don’t miss it!), the Dali Museum, and the market on Rue Lepic, complete with the Café des Deux Moulin from the film Amélie.

Head down Rue Durantin to the right as you exit the apartment, and in minutes you’ll find yourself at Place des Abbesses, with its carousel, metro and occasional antique fairs:

Rue des Abbesses with its many restaurants, bars and shops:

Fans of the film “Amélie Poulain” will want to drop by the Café des Deux Moulins on Rue Lepic:

With the charm and amenities to be found in this wonderfully situated apartment, we think you’ll be quite happy and comfortable during your stay. We live nearby in case you need us, but we respect the privacy of our guests and won’t intrude.

 

Thanks to Josephine of Serene Movement Photography for the lovely photos (watermarked); other photos taken by your host, Lisa.